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Group B
Brazil
Greece
Japan
Mexico
Brazil
Greece
Japan
Mexico
Official CC 2005 website said:Group B looks finely balanced
Containing the Champions of the World and South America (Brazil), Europe (Greece), Asia (Japan) and North, Central America and the Caribbean (Mexico), Group B of the FIFA Confederations Cup Germany 2005 appears too close to call. The battle for the top two places to secure a semi-final berth is sure to be fierce.
The draw for the FIFA Confederations Cup Germany 2005 has presented football-lovers with two evenly balanced groups, with Group B holding particular allure due to the presence of four of the top 20 teams. Brazil (1st) and Japan (19th) sandwich Mexico(10th) and Greece (16th) in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, and all will no doubt be keen to show they are there on merit.
While Brazil – who scarcely need any introduction – are undeniably hot favourites for the first qualifying position, the other three teams seem more or less on a par. The dark horses remain Otto Rehhagel’s Greek side, who despite becoming Champions of Europe in Portugal this summer, have never beaten any of their opponents in this group. It is therefore difficult to hazard a prediction for Charisteas and Co., but the Werder Bremen striker will surely be aiming to shine in front of the German public.
Brazil in no mood for an upset
Winners of the 7th edition of the Gold Cup in July 2003, Mexico appear a likely contender for semi-final qualification, not least because they are the only ones to have beaten the Brazilian giants. In 20 meetings, the Tricolores have clocked up no less than five victories over the Auriverdes, along with eleven defeats and four draws. Their record against the Seleçaostands in stark contrast to that of Japan, who have failed to even draw in six encounters.
Already through to the next phase of the Asian Zone qualifiers for the 2006 FIFA World Cup™, the Japanese continue to rule the roost in the AFC. Since the start of the year, Zico’s charges have also started to produce some impressive performances further afield against strong opposition. They suffered narrow defeats in the Czech Republic (0-1), Serbia and Montenegro (0-1), and also Argentina (1-2), and held England to a draw (1-1) in Manchester last June.
It seems likely therefore that the fight for the second semi-final qualifying place extremely tight between Greece, Mexico and Japan. The South American and World Champions, however, are not immune to an upset - as was the case at France 2003. Outstripped by Cameroon and Turkey, Ronaldinho, Adriano et al went out of the tournament in the first round. But with one year to go before the 2006 FIFA World Cup™, the Auriverdes will be looking to show all pretenders that they aim to hang on to their throne.